Writer: Brittney Mayer
Editor: Lillian Guevara-Castro
Reviewer: Ashley Fricker
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In the article below, we’ll take an in-depth look at some of the best credit cards for cash rewards in a variety of areas and for a range of credit scores.
When it comes to making purchase decisions, I often tend to take comparison shopping to the extreme. Out comes my inner nerd — who brings with her spreadsheets and helpful financial formulae designed to calculate the best deal. So, if there’s one thing that truly offends me, it’s finally making my carefully-considered, thoroughly-researched purchase — and finding a heretofore unknown coupon the very next day.
For the deal lovers, like me, who find it downright repugnant to be mocked by the discount deities, cash back rewards are like gifts from above. Indeed, with the right cash back credit card, I can rest assured knowing that, no matter what coupons come late to the party, I saved money on my purchase through cash back rewards. Yes, with bonus rewards for everything from groceries and gas to, well, just signing up, cash back cards can be truly rewarding.
Signup Bonus | Rotating Categories | Grocery & Gas Bonus | Student | Business
Balance Transfers | Fair Credit | Bad Credit
Best “Signup Bonus” Cash Back Cards
In many ways, the best kind of bonus is the one you don’t really need to do anything out of the ordinary to obtain. That’s what makes signup bonuses so attractive — you can get them just for using the card to make purchases you would already be making. Alright, it’s technically not quite that simple; most credit card signup bonuses will have a specific spending requirement that must be reached within a set time period to earn the bonus.
For instance, a common cash back signup bonus offers $150 cash back when you spend $500 on purchases with your card in the first three months. That’s just a few trips to the grocery store (or less) for many families, making the signup bonuses essentially that: a bonus for signing up and using the card. Our top picks for this category all have reasonable spending requirements, making them attainable bonuses for most cardholders.
Additional Disclosure: Non-Monetized. The information related to Chase Freedom Flex℠ was collected by CardRates and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this product/card. Product details may vary. Please see issuer website for current information. CardRates does not receive commission for this product.
- INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300.
- Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- Redeem cash back for any amount. No annual fee.
- Get a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases. Then 17.49% to 26.49% Standard Variable Purchase APR applies, based on credit worthiness.
- Terms and conditions apply.
- Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
- $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus, cash back won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how much you can earn
- 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 18.49% - 28.49% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies
- Top rated mobile app
Of course, it’s key to realize that not every signup bonus offer will be the same. Signup bonuses offering larger rewards will have higher spending requirements, with many ranging into the thousands. While these are still reasonably attainable for many families, especially if you intend to use your new card to pay most bills and expenses, be sure you really spend enough to justify getting the card for the bonus.
In either case, never charge more than you can repay in a reasonable amount of time simply to obtain a signup bonus (or, well, ever). Interest fees can add up much quicker than most people think, eating into your bonus until your “great deal” has sunk you straight into the red. If you don’t think you can realistically reach the spending requirement without overextending, make peace with that truth and move on to another option.
Best “Rotating Categories” Cash Back Cards
The idea (and practice) of rotating bonus categories seem to draw fairly streamline responses: people typically love them or hate them. Essentially, these programs offer huge bonus rewards — typically 5% — for spending within a certain category (or pair of categories), and the specific categories change each quarter (Jan-Mar, Apr-Jun, Jul-Sep, Oct-Dec).
As an example, if the second-quarter bonus category is “home improvement stores,” that means you’ll earn bonus rewards for any purchases made with your card at home improvement stores from April 1 until June 30. Non-category purchases always earn unlimited 1% cash back, as well. Our favorite rotating-category cash back cards even come without annual fees, so it won’t cost you anything to carry them.
Additional Disclosure: Non-Monetized. The information related to Chase Freedom Flex℠ was collected by CardRates and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this product/card. Product details may vary. Please see issuer website for current information. CardRates does not receive commission for this product.
Rotating-category cards are best for people whose spending tends to vary throughout the year, particularly because many of these programs will typically match rewards to the season. For instance, fourth-quarter bonus categories are often for popular retailers, such as Target and Walmart, making it easy to earn 5% cash back on all of your Christmas shopping.
Additionally, these cards usually require you to “activate” your new bonus category each quarter to start saving. This can be done easily online in just a few minutes through your issuer’s website, but it can be inconvenient if you don’t tend to remember those types of things.
Best “Grocery & Gas Bonus” Cash Rewards Cards
If ever there were a common denominator among all Americans, it’s likely the grocery store. From the hourly worker to the CEO — we all gotta eat. And since the average family can easily spend $500 a month or more on groceries, most of us can likely use a little extra wiggle room in the grocery budget.
Thankfully, rewards cards are pretty good at adding a little wiggle to your financial life, and those offering bonus rewards for everyday necessities — including groceries and the ever-more-expensive gas fill-ups — can put that wiggle where you really need it. The cards we’ve selected for this category include options with and without annual fees, as well as some great signup bonuses.
- Earn 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year on purchases (then 1%). Also earn 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.
- Earn 3% cash back on transit, including U.S. gas stations, taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses, and more. All other purchases earn 1% cash back.
- Card Members have access to purchase tickets® through Amex Presale Tickets® and Amex Reserved Tickets® to select can't-miss events and moments across sports, music, and more (while supplies last).
- 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable APR applies
- $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95
Additional Disclosure: Bank of America is a CardRates advertiser.
- INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards.
- Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically. You'll still earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- Get a 0% intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers. Then 17.49% to 26.49% Standard Variable APR applies, based on credit worthiness.
- Redeem cash back for any amount
- No annual fee.
- Terms and conditions apply.
One thing to remember is that credit cards with bonus categories often have spending caps for each category that limit the amount of cash back you can earn on those purchases. After you reach your maximum bonus rewards for a specific category, your category purchases will start earning 1% cash back instead.
For example, the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card caps bonus rewards to $2,500 in combined purchases each quarter. Therefore, if you spent $3,000 on choice category, grocery, and wholesale club purchases in a single quarter, only the first $2,500 would earn bonus rewards; the last $500 would only earn 1% cash back rewards.
Best “Student” Cash Back Cards
Although the broke student has become a bit of a stereotype, the fact is — stereotypes exist for a reason. As someone who was frequently broke throughout my college experience, I can attest to the reality that is student life, and that reality includes a lot of slim budgets. For students who can use them wisely, student credit cards with cash back rewards can be a good way to fluff up that budget a bit (and maybe add a little cheese to that mac).
Student cash back cards have many of the same characteristics as their counterparts, including options for bonus categories — rotating and yearlong — as well as flat-rate rewards. The expert-rated options on our list include all three varieties so you can choose the card that best fits your spending habits. They’re all annual-fee-free, as well.
Remember the part where we stipulated “for those students who can use them wisely” when talking about student cards? Well, I’m going to reiterate. Only those students who can regulate their spending — i.e., only spend what they can repay in a timely manner — and who can remember to pay their statement as required each month should open a student credit card account (or any kind of credit account, for that matter).
Student credit cards report to the credit bureaus the same as any other credit product. While this can be a good way to establish credit early, which is good for your credit in the long term, this also means that if you miss a payment, or, worse, default on your student credit card, you’ll have some really uncool real-world credit consequences. Consider whether you feel you can responsibly use and maintain a credit card before you jump on that bandwagon.
Best “Business” Cash Back Cards
Although the average business can technically be started with some paperwork and a couple hundred bucks, building and maintaining a successful company takes a lot more work — and significantly more money. One way to take a little of the sting out of your business costs is to use a business credit card that offers cash back rewards.
When comparing cash back business cards, consider where you tend to shop most frequently for your business, then select the card that will likely provide the most rewards. For instance, if you spend a lot on office supplies, select a card that will provide bonus rewards for that category. If your spending doesn’t fit neatly into any specific categories, try an all-purpose flat-rate cash back card, like our top picks below.
This card is currently not available. Additional Disclosure: Information for this card not reviewed by or provided by Capital One.11. Capital One Spark Cash for Business
Additional Disclosure: Non-Monetized. The information related to Ink Business Cash® Credit Card was collected by CardRates and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this product/card. Product details may vary. Please see issuer website for current information. CardRates does not receive commission for this product.
13. Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business
This card is currently not available.
Additional Disclosure: Information for this card not reviewed by or provided by Capital One.
Perhaps the best part of a cash back business credit card — besides the cash back, of course — is that your business card can help you build all-important business credit. Similar to consumer credit, businesses can establish and build business credit, which, like consumer credit, is used by lenders to determine the credit risk of your business when you apply for financing.
Several different credit reporting agencies collect, analyze, and provide business credit information, but the general factors that are considered are the same across the industry. Specifically, your business’s payment history will play a large role in your business credit, as will your credit utilization and outstanding balances. Pay your credit card bill as agreed each month to ensure you are building positive credit history.
Best “Balance Transfer” Cash Back Cards
For anyone currently fighting the high-interest fight, balance transfer credit card offers can be vital reinforcements. Balance transfers are basically what they sound like: you transfer your balance from one credit card to another credit card with a much lower interest rate. When that second credit card offers an introductory 0% APR on your balance transfer, you can even eliminate your monthly interest fees altogether.
And if saying “bye-bye” to interest fees isn’t enough, try out a credit card that pairs cash back rewards with an awesome intro APR offer to really score. While you won’t earn cash back on your transferred balance itself, any new purchases made with the card will net rewards. Best of all, the intro APR offers of many cards — including several of our category favorites — will extend to new purchases as well as balance transfers.
- Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
- Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. Plus, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked with Citi Travel.
- Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 17.49% - 27.49%, based on your creditworthiness.
- Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases.
- If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
- There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
Additional Disclosure: Citi is a CardRates advertiser.
- $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
- Earn 6% cash back for the first year in the category of your choice. You’ll automatically earn 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. After the first year from account opening, you’ll earn 3% cash back on purchases in your choice category.
- Earn 6% and 2% cash back on the first $2,500 in combined purchases each quarter in the choice category, and at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, then earn unlimited 1% thereafter. After the 3% first-year bonus offer ends, you will earn 3% and 2% cash back on these purchases up to the quarterly maximum.
- No annual fee and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
- Select your card design option when you apply – the Customized Cash Rewards design, or the limited-time FIFA World Cup 2026™ design.
- 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 17.49% - 27.49% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 5%. Balance transfers may not be used to pay any account provided by Bank of America.
- This offer may not be available elsewhere if you leave this page. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
Additional Disclosure: Bank of America is a CardRates advertiser.
16. Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa® Card
This card is currently not available.
You should also note that introductory APR offers are temporary (hence the name). This means you will be charged interest on your remaining balance and any new purchases after your introductory period has expired. Be sure to pay off your transfer in full before terms end to avoid paying interest fees. The APR you will be charged after your offer terms end will be listed on your cardholder agreement.
Best “Fair Credit” Cash Back Cards
One of the more confusing aspects of consumer credit is that each credit scoring agency has its own credit score range, with different notions of what “good,” “fair,” and “bad” credit really mean. Fair credit, for instance, is considered to be FICO credit scores between 580 and 669. If you use your VantageScore, however, the fair credit range is between 650 and 699.
In general, those with fair credit scores are typically either working to build credit for the first time or are in the process of rebuilding credit after making some mistakes. But while you don’t need to settle for a subprime card, many prime creditors still consider you a risky bet, making it hard to find quality rewards card — so the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card really stands out from the crowd.
As nice as it is to have cash back rewards, of course, you do need to take the card’s annual fee into account. While not huge, as those things go, it can definitely take a bite out of your rewards. In fact, at 1.5% cash back, you’ll need to spend at least $2,600 a year on your card just to break even from the $39 annual fee.
Be careful, though. Don’t start making purchases you can’t afford to repay right away simply to rack up cash back rewards. For one thing, the interest fees you’ll pay for the privilege of carrying a balance from month to month can easily wipe out your cash back. Those interest fees will keep growing as your balance does, as well, making it increasingly more difficult to pay down your debt.
Best “Bad Credit” Cash Back Cards
Ah, bad credit. The bane of many a consumer’s financial existence, it can relegate you into the subprime product market where interest rates are high and fees roam wild. While the exact credit scores that count as “bad” will vary by model, when you have bad credit, you tend to know it — and likely have the credit rejection letters to prove it.
On the plus side, having bad credit doesn’t have to mean the end to your credit journey. You may pay a bit more for your credit (or put down a deposit, in the case of secured credit cards), but plenty of issuers will be happy to provide it to you. In fact, you can even find cash back rewards on a few subprime credit card options, such as our expert-rated cards below, that will help you save a little as you rebuild.
This card is currently not available. This card is currently not available. This card is currently not available. Additional Disclosure: This page includes information about the Discover it® Secured Credit Card which is no longer available, and the offer details may be out of date.18. Credit One Bank® Visa® Credit Card with Cash Back Rewards
19. Credit One Bank® Visa® Credit Card
20. Discover it® Secured Credit Card
In some cases, consumers wind up with poor credit after a single, financially catastrophic event, like a major illness or job loss. For others, it’s a series of small mistakes and bad financial habits that are at the root of the problem. Whatever the case, you should take the time to determine how your credit got so bad before you take on any new credit, even a cash back credit card.
If your bad habits are impacting your credit in a bad way, you need to work on improving your financial skills before you can expect to effectively build your credit score. Many factors go into your score, but your payment history and outstanding debts will have the biggest influences. You may also want to browse the wide range of educational resources for improving your credit score that are available online.
Let Your Credit Card Work for You
In my opinion, with such a buffet of credit card options before you, it can often make a lot of financial sense to obtain several cards with different types of bonuses. For example, one of my favorite cards offers me bonus rewards for groceries, while a different card has a killer restaurant bonus. By carrying both cards, I can maximize my cash back rewards whether I choose to stay in or eat out.
However, you should consider two things before you adopt a multi-card strategy. The first is the immediate cost; neither of my go-to cards carry annual fees, meaning it doesn’t cost me anything to keep them open. Many cards, especially those offering the most lucrative rewards, will charge annual fees, and those fees can rise into the hundreds, depending on the card. It’s important to determine if the rewards are worth the fee.
Secondly, not everyone is truly cut out to responsibly use credit — let alone juggle multiple cards. If you are prone to overspending, stick to cash. Interest fees are always higher than cash back rewards, meaning carrying a balance will likely cancel out your cash back in no time. You should also avoid multiple cards if you have a difficult time remembering to pay your bills every month. Late payments are credit killers, so don’t set yourself up for failure.
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Editorial Note: Our site content is not provided or commissioned by any credit card issuer(s). Opinions expressed on CardRates.com are the author's alone, not those of any credit card issuer, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by credit card issuers. Every reasonable effort has been made to maintain accurate information; however, all credit card offer details, including information about rewards, signup bonuses, introductory offers, and other terms and conditions, is presented without warranty. Clicking on any offer on CardRates.com will direct you to the issuer's website, where you can review the current terms and conditions of the offer.
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